ViperXZ 30x24 Experience Log

[anthropod]

Everything is about ready to come together. I am finalizing some loose ends.

One of those loose ends is CAM software. First I would like to thank everyone for their input they have given thus far. It truly has been helpful.

I have narrowed down my software choice between to packages/brands.

1. Artcam Express 2011
2. Vectric (VCarvePro, Cut3d, & PhotoVCarve)

Both packages seem to work more how I think.
For me it’s easy to talk about the +’s of both products.
So… I am down to looking at the things I don’t like.

In the Vectric Products, I’m not thrilled with feeling like I need 3 pieces of software. I know Aspire would take care of that (With exception of a couple of features in Cut3d), but I can’t afford $2,000.00 right now.

With Artcam Express I feel like it’s an iPhone app with in app purchases. It seems tell me…”don’t you want to do this? Its only a little more” If I want to do nesting I’m adding $500.00.. If I want to do this$$$$ you get the picture. I'm also not as thrilled with their support forums. Perhaps their user base is smaller than Vectric's. There is a secret members only forum that might be good…but I don’t know.

Is there anyone out there that has used both and has a strong preference either way?

[theremin]

Everything is about ready to come together. I am finalizing some loose ends.

One of those loose ends is CAM software. First I would like to thank everyone for their input they have given thus far. It truly has been helpful.

I have narrowed down my software choice between to packages/brands.

1. Artcam Express 2011
2. Vectric (VCarvePro, Cut3d, & PhotoVCarve)

Both packages seem to work more how I think.
For me it’s easy to talk about the +’s of both products.
So… I am down to looking at the things I don’t like.

In the Vectric Products, I’m not thrilled with feeling like I need 3 pieces of software. I know Aspire would take care of that (With exception of a couple of features in Cut3d), but I can’t afford $2,000.00 right now.

With Artcam Express I feel like it’s an iPhone app with in app purchases. It seems tell me…”don’t you want to do this? Its only a little more” If I want to do nesting I’m adding $500.00.. If I want to do this$$$$ you get the picture. I'm also not as thrilled with their support forums. Perhaps their user base is smaller than Vectric's. There is a secret members only forum that might be good…but I don’t know.

Is there anyone out there that has used both and has a strong preference either way?

I haven't used Artcam Express, so I can't really respond to your question, but something that I can add regarding the Vectric products is that since I bought a copy of VCarve Pro a little over a year ago, I have received two free upgrades from Vectric. The functionality of the current version has several major improvements over what I initially bought. I don't know whether Artcam has the same upgrade policy or not, but Vectric's is free upgrades for a year on major upgrades (V5 to V6 for example), and the minor upgrades (V6.0 to V6.2 for example) don't seem to have a time limit.

I use Rhino and madCAM for all of my 3D stuff, but for 2.5D, V carving, lithophanes, etc., I think that VCarve/PhotoVCarve would be very hard to beat. Cut3d works well, but madCAM's integration with Rhino keeps me from using it.

Dave

[azam1959]

uh.. i thought even if you do not use aspire, vectric pieces will integrate well. i know vectric has big support group, you want to use that resource.

Everything is about ready to come together. I am finalizing some loose ends.

One of those loose ends is CAM software. First I would like to thank everyone for their input they have given thus far. It truly has been helpful.

I have narrowed down my software choice between to packages/brands.

1. Artcam Express 2011
2. Vectric (VCarvePro, Cut3d, & PhotoVCarve)

Both packages seem to work more how I think.
For me it’s easy to talk about the +’s of both products.
So… I am down to looking at the things I don’t like.

In the Vectric Products, I’m not thrilled with feeling like I need 3 pieces of software. I know Aspire would take care of that (With exception of a couple of features in Cut3d), but I can’t afford $2,000.00 right now.

With Artcam Express I feel like it’s an iPhone app with in app purchases. It seems tell me…”don’t you want to do this? Its only a little more” If I want to do nesting I’m adding $500.00.. If I want to do this$$$$ you get the picture. I'm also not as thrilled with their support forums. Perhaps their user base is smaller than Vectric's. There is a secret members only forum that might be good…but I don’t know.

Is there anyone out there that has used both and has a strong preference either way?

[anthropod]

You are correct! They do integrate well. I just wish it was one program instead of three. Really I think two programs would be okay. I think PhotoVCarve should be built into VCarve Pro. Really I'm just being nit picky.

uh.. i thought even if you do not use aspire, vectric pieces will integrate well. i know vectric has big support group, you want to use that resource.

[azam1959]

no, you are not picky. it is not in vendors advantage to make customer life difficult when they can simply add a menu button to invoke other programs. It is very easy to do and i am surprised why it is not done yet. i hope vendor do understand that not everybody will be buying 2k aspire (actually i thought it was more expensive) and integrating low cost programs will attract a different market segment.

i saw posts from number of sw distributors on the zone. you may want to look for those post and talk to the distributors for bigger discount.

good luck my friend.

You are correct! They do integrate well. I just wish it was one program instead of three. Really I think two programs would be okay. I think PhotoVCarve should be built into VCarve Pro. Really I'm just being nit picky.

[anthropod]

Just a quick update...

"http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B006T0L01S/ref=mp_s_a_1?qid=1330736108&sr=8-1"]CANTEX Junction Box, PVC, 13x13x6.25:Amazon:Home Improvement

I think this is going to be a great electronics box.

[anthropod]

One more box and I'll be in business. :-)

[anthropod]

That box arrived. The Fun can start!

[anthropod]

Progress!

[anthropod]

My wizbang table that I was so proud of is not flat. :-(

My poor little viper rocks back and forth. If I turn it 90 its fine, but I designed the table with the proper dimensions to work the other way. I guess i'll need to shim it. or... I guess I could Dremel out a little of the top to make it flat. (Make a little slot that is flat. That stinks. Assembly thus far is going great!

[azam1959]

wouldn't it be difficult to make a flat slot from dremel?

If rocking is the issue, can you take few small angles and connect end profile to the table? this may make profile to curve along table top which may create other issues. Will putting a rigid/stiff material between table and end profile help (a thin metal strip or hardwood piece)?

just throwing some ideas I do not have any experience here.

My wizbang table that I was so proud of is not flat. :-(

My poor little viper rocks back and forth. If I turn it 90 its fine, but I designed the table with the proper dimensions to work the other way. I guess i'll need to shim it. or... I guess I could Dremel out a little of the top to make it flat. (Make a little slot that is flat. That stinks. Assembly thus far is going great!

[gio666]

It would be better to drill the holes in table for the M8 bolts on bottom of end frame , that machine will not stay on table with out being held down. Use M8 studs and use washers to have machine level